Lawrence County authorities rescue 170 animals from hoarding property

Authorities in Lawrence County, Missouri, have rescued approximately 170 animals from a property following reports of severe neglect. The rescue operation, involving the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, uncovered dogs, cats, horses, goats, and chickens living among mountains of trash, overgrown vegetation, and dilapidated vehicles.

Susan Berry, 70, has been charged with misdemeanor animal neglect and felony stealing. Investigators allege that many animals were kept in cages too small for adequate movement and that some dogs and horses were not receiving proper care. A separate charge involves the alleged theft of a Catahoula Leopard Dog, which an owner reportedly identified via social media footage of the property.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is also investigating whether the property was being used as an unlicensed animal breeding facility. This marks the third time authorities have intervened at this specific location; previous incidents involving animal seizures or surrenders occurred in 2000 and 2021.